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OpenAI says Zhipu AI accelerates China’s global efforts to challenge US tech dominance

The Beijing-based start-up is racing to secure clients in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the ChatGPT maker says

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A Zhipu AI booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Photo: Handout
OpenAI said its analysts found that Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Zhipu AI had made “notable progress” in providing infrastructure solutions to governments and state-owned firms in non-Western markets, as Beijing seeks to strengthen its global leadership in the rapidly evolving technology.

In a post on Wednesday, the ChatGPT maker, which has previously urged Washington to support US companies in their competition with Chinese rivals, said Zhipu represented “China’s answer” to OpenAI’s international initiative.

The blog cited a South China Morning Post report from last month detailing Zhipu’s plans to expand its business overseas, leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhipu represented the nation’s “hopes of building a self-reliant, globally competitive AI ecosystem that rivals America’s and lessens dependence on American tech”, OpenAI said.

“The goal is to lock Chinese systems and standards into emerging markets before US or European rivals can, while showcasing a ‘responsible, transparent and audit-ready’ Chinese AI alternative.”

Zhipu did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Thursday.

Open AI CEO Sam Altman speaks at an event in San Francisco, California, earlier this month. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Open AI CEO Sam Altman speaks at an event in San Francisco, California, earlier this month. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
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